Obituaries

Josiah McOmber
July 23, 1826-Jan. 10, 1890

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 10, 1890, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Josiah McOmber, for many years a liveryman and resident of this city, died today noon, of heart disease, aged about 70 years.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 11, 1890, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of Josiah McOmber will occur Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, from the residence of his son, George McOmber, who resides in the Coffinger building, corner of Front and Sycamore streets.

Niles Republican, Thursday, January 23, 1890, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Josiah McOmber, on of the old landmarks, died on the 10th inst., aged 65 years.  Mr. McOmber was a native of Jefferson county, New York, where he was born July 23, 1826.  He married Diana Setmore in 1844, and came to Niles with his family in September, 1852.  He was in different branches of business here from that time to this, except during one year's residence in Edwardsburg and a short time in Kansas City, Missouri. At one time he kept the old Massasoit House.  Most of the time he was in the livery business.  He held the offices of city marshal and alderman. He was a genial, pleasant man and a good citizen, and his familiar figure will be missed by many of our people.

Robert McOmber
Jan. 23, 1848-April 11, 1925

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 13, 1925, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert McOmber, Niles Resident 70 Years, Dies

Robert McComber, 77, died Saturday afternoon at 1:40 o'clock at his home, 812 N. Fourth street. While he had been a sufferer from heart disease for more than a year, the immediate cause of death was influenza with which he was stricken three weeks ago.

Mr. McOmber was born in Brownville, N.Y., January 23, 1848. He came here from Brownville when he was seven years old, and had since resided her continuously.

The deceased was married to Sybil M. Salisbury of Niles at Pokagon on April 2, 1876. She died on February 28, 1919. Of the three children born to them one survives. She is Mrs. Filbert Williams of Niles. A son, Arthur, died 18 months after his mother passed away, and a daughter, Rosey Luella, died when three months old. Besides the daughter, the deceased is survived by two brothers, W. O. McOmber of Crete, Neb., and George McOmber of South Bend.  W.O. McOmber came to Niles, and thinking his brother was improving, returned to his home during last week.

The funeral services will be held at the home on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30.  Rev. J.W. Sheehan, pastor of M.E. church, will officiate. The Odd Fellows will assist at the services at the home and will be in charge of the committal services at Silver Brook cemetery.

Emily Frances (Chipman) Ford
Dec. 5, 1840-Dec. 6, 1871

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 9, 1871, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

At the residence of her father L.C. Chipman, Esq. of this city, on the 6th last, MRS. EMILY FRANCES FORD, wife of Capt. Henry A. Ford, aged 31 years and 1 day.

Note:  Gravemarker (see photo) has date of birth as May 2, 1840.

Helen R. Clark
Jan. 8, 1906-Nov. 29, 1967

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 30, 1967, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

South Bend--Mrs. Helen R. Clark, 61, of 2011 E. Madison St., South Bend, died Wednesday at 2:15 a.m., in Memorial Hospital, following an apparent heart attack.

Living in South Bend 40 years after moving from Niles, Mrs. Clark was born Jan. 8, 1906 in Cass County.

In 1928, she married Robert Clark in LaPorte, Ind., who survives.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Mrs. William Pipher of Toledo and Mrs. Hal Smith of Grand Rapids; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Claire Moon of Dowagiac.

Funeral services will be Friday at 3 p.m., (EST) in the Welsheimer Funeral Home here, with the Rev. Jack Reeves of the Latter Day Saints Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Anna J. Cook
Dec. 26, 1891-Nov. 23, 1967

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 28, 1967, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Anna J. Cook, 75, of 412 N. State St., died Thursday evening in her home suddenly. She was found Sunday.

Born here Dec. 26, 1891, she lived her lifetime here. Her husband, Monta Cook, died July 22, 1959.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Max Lister of Caledonia; two grandchildren; a great-grandchild; four sisters, Mrs. Ellen Kerr of Niles; Mrs. Ruth Harvey of Florida; Mrs. Irene McDonald and Mrs. Lillian Wilson, both of Homestead, Fla.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Schloop of the First Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 29, 1967, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Cook survivor

An additional survivor of Mrs. Anna J. Cook, 412 S. State st., who died Thursday, is a foster daughter, Miss Carol Cook of Niles.

Funeral services were today in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Schloop officiating.

Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Buyrl Drake
Nov. 16, 1895-Nov. 27, 1967

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 30, 1967, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Buyrl Drake, 72, of Corpus Christi, Tex., died Monday in her son's home, Phyl Drake of Alice, Tex., following an eight-month illness.

A former resident of Niles, she was born in Bristol, Ind., Nov. 16, 1895.

Her husband, C.E. Drake, died in 1954.

In addition to her son, she is survived by by five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Earl Noble; and Mrs. William Seeberger, both of Niles; and Mrs. I.M. Herrmann of Wawautosa, Wis.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m., in the Pifer Funeral Home with the REv. Lloyd Schloop of the First Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Friday after 7 p.m.

Upon family request, all memorials may be made to the Cancer Society.